What Did Dinosaurs and Raptors Actually Sound Like?
All animals make sounds, as this is their way of communicating with one another. During the prehistoric era, dinosaurs would have had this ability too, so what did dinosaurs and raptors actually sound like? Unfortunately, we can’t precisely know what their sounds were like. This is because sound doesn’t have a fossil record, and unlike bones or teeth, it doesn’t leave physical evidence behind.
The good news is that scientists have made hypotheses about the sounds these prehistoric animals made based on fossil findings, so learn more below.
What Did Dinosaurs Sound Like?
Most dinosaur movies depict large beasts releasing a deafening roar or screeching sound that sends the human protagonist running. While these audio cues are fun, they’re also more than likely inaccurate.
Although we can’t say for sure, it’s most probable that dinosaurs made sounds similar to cooing, hissing, or growling. The best comparison would be looking at birds that make these same sounds today. For instance, doves coo, geese hiss, and some parrots can make a growling sound; some scientists also hypothesize that dinosaurs could make a booming sound like ostriches.
How Do We Know What Dinosaurs Sounded Like?
Technically, we can’t say we know for sure what kinds of sounds dinosaurs made because none of us were alive when the dinosaurs were, but we can look at what the existing evidence indicates. Scientists form hypotheses based on fossil findings. By examining X-rays of a dinosaur’s skull, scientists can estimate how sound waves would have moved through the mouth.
For example, it’s theorized that some dinosaurs had vocal sacs they could use to create and amplify their vocalizations. Similarly, many hadrosaurs may have used their head crests to make a honking sound; the crest was a hollow part of the skull, allowing sound to travel and resonate.
Modern Evidence
Scientists can also form hypotheses based on what we know today: that theropods are the ancestors of modern birds. We can study birds, and because they share a lineage with prehistoric beasts, evolution indicates that the two likely share varying vocal abilities.
Birds have a syrinx, a vocal organ that allows them to produce a wide range of sounds. Based on this knowledge, many scientists theorize that theropods also possessed this physical feature.
Will We Ever Know for Sure What Dinosaurs Sound Like?
Knowing what dinosaurs and raptors sound like fascinates many of us and leaves us wondering if we’ll ever have a definite answer. It’s hard to say whether we’ll get a completely accurate idea of what dinosaurs sounded like since everything comes from theory.
While these hypotheses stem from professional, scientific research, it’s different from studying a living creature. However, we can expect more details surrounding these theories as technology advances.
By studying fossil records alongside their living, distant relatives, we can continue to piece together the sounds of prehistoric dinosaur life. New discoveries may also be made in the future, leading to a better understanding of dinosaur vocalizations.
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